Flattoe's Party (Adventurers of Kolora)

During the Golden Age of Heroes and Adventurers, several parties would go to the White Valleys to fight necromancer cults, Lich Lords and Ladies, and any undead creatures for glory, training, or "party bonding." However, navigating the land was a whole challenge in itself. Dead trees towered, covered, and obstructed every path. Any road that would be made would be stopped by undead armies raiding and thus halt any progress. The rocky cliffs were held up by loose rock, so landslides were common occurrences. All in all, most parties would get lost and quit after a couple of days. Then there's the Flattoe Party.

It was led by Flattoe, a bright-eyed halfling druid who left his village after unleashing his druid powers. His party had Kamplin, a human Great Lion Gods Paladin, Vatus, a dwarf barbarian, and Zera Silverstem, an elf Great Lion Gods cleric. Kamplin and Zera were given the task of using the map, but it seemed to be incorrect about the location of certain places. A noteworthy waterfall was miles away in the north, rather than more central. A cave that was supposed to be a couple of miles from the border of the Yellow Meadows was 35 miles away. An entire region was not even close to the size detailed in the map. These inaccuracies made the party grumble and complain as they stumbled through the Bloodriver region of the White Valleys. Their only saving grace was Flattoe's ability to communicate with the ground and Vatus's survival skills, which included making fires, hunting for food, and constructing small shelters using logs, clay, and dead vines.

During one night, Kamplin and Zera started to argue about the map. "The river is flowing in that direction, which means it's going to the coast. We don't want to go to the coast," said Kamplin, pointing at the flowing water. "The river is not flowing to the coast. It's flowing from Eyesky Mountain, which is hundreds of miles from the coast and is in front of a desert. Which happens to be the Great White Desert. You know the largest desert on the continent," fired back Zera. "Bloodwater flows in multiple directions. The chances that one of them cuts through the desert and reaches the coast are a lot higher than you think. Thus, if we were to follow this part of the river, it would lead us closer to the coast. Not in the other direction," argued Kamplin. "The water is not going toward the coast. Not every river reaches the ocean," argued Zera. "Not reach the ocean? The whole point of rivers is that they flow until they reach an ocean in order to dump all their stuff into it," argued Kamplin. "You absolute fool. Do you not know that Bloodwater has multiple irrigation systems flowing from it? We can follow this section of the river until we find one of them and then follow it to whatever fort, village, cave, or whatever else. Will that make you happy?" asked an irritated Zera. "Fine, but if we don't find signs of an irrigation and end up crossing a desert, we backtrack here and follow the water that way. If we survive that long," said an unsatisfied Kamplin.

Zera and Kampplin then shook hands and stomped in opposite directions. Flattoe and Vatus were sitting on a log in front of the pair during their argument. "Alrighty, time to talk some sense into those two. You get Kamplin, I'll get Zera," said Flattoe in his infectious, hopeful tone. "Great, we have to make the lovebirds love each other. Again," said a disgruntled Vatus as he swung his axe over his shoulder and walked to Kamplin.

"You're both right, you know," said Vatus as he found a tree and leaned against it, then slowly sank down until he sat against the tree. "Thank you, Sir Obvious," said a sarcastic Kamplin as he paced back and forth. "I know that you want to help out by providing the best way out. However, the problem is that we have an untrustworthy map that has gotten us lost. Again, and every time, you and Zera always argue about where to go next. You speak from generations of knowledge and techniques. Zera speaks from personal experience. She is over 300 years old, you know, and she's been an adventurer for half that time. She has seen parties like us fight and die. Yet, out of all those party members, she fell for you. It's why she treats you like a puppy most of the time," said Vatus in his typical, calm, fatherly, wise voice. "What are you going on about? Yeah, I love Zera, and she loves me. But I am just tired and frustrated at this quest because it should've been straightforward and simple. But no. We just have to get lost at every turn because of that stupid map," said Kamplin. "Well, if you're tired of this quest, don't take it out on her. Vent your anger somewhere else," said Vatus. "See! Actual, wise advice," rejoiced Kamplin.

Flattoe went to Zera, who angrily asked, "Why are humans sometimes more stubborn than dwarves?" Flattoe paused and then answered, "Kamplin has a short lifespan. Which makes him eager to see the world and long for an exciting life. Honestly, this is him being impatient because he doesn't have as much time as we do." Zera then stood straight and pondered what Flattoe had said. "And this is why I chose to join your party. Didn't realize I was going to get a husband out of it, but here we are," she then smiled. Flattoe smiled backed beaming like a child. They both walked back toward the middle. Vatus and Kamplin were there setting up camp. Zera tapped her staff on Kamplin's shoulder. "We'll follow the river your way," she said, smiling. Kamplin became flustered. The smile broke his concentration. "I'm now doubting if it's the best way," he said as he tried to continue setting stuff out. "Well, no matter what, I still love you. Even when your hair becomes gray, and wrinkles cover your face. You'll still be mine, and no one else's," said Zera. Kamplin scratched the back of his head. "Good to know. I still love you, too." Right when he finished, Zera leaned down and kissed him lip to lip.

Vatus and Flattoe stood there smiling. "This will only last a day, right?" asked Vatus. "Yes, but don't ruin the moment. We still have a long road ahead of us, and we don't need more setbacks. Especially for Kamplin's sake," said Flattoe. "What do you mean by that?" asked Vatus. "Because...out of all of us here. He's the one most lost in these woods. Also, if we go down his way, it'll lead us to a dark place, whether or not we need to be there, I don't know. But it'll be fun," answered a cheerful Flattone. "You are. A disturbed little halfling," said Vatus. "I know," said Flattoe, smiling.